Useful tips and tricks when working with screws

Hello everyone! Today I will share with you some tricks and useful tips that will come in handy for the DIYer when working with self-tapping screws.

1. When tightening a long self-tapping screw, difficulties often arise (the self-tapping screw does not want to twist, it breaks or the slots are licked off). And if it is not possible to pre-drill the hole to the full length, since there is no suitable drill, then in this case you can use soap or a paraffin candle.

Lightly moisten the soap and rub the thread of the self-tapping screw well. Now it will go almost like clockwork. This method can also be used when screwing a thick self-tapping screw into a dowel.

2. When working, it is very convenient to use magnetic bits or adapters with a magnet. Self-tapping screws hold well and do not fall out. But what if the bit is not magnetic? In this case, small neodymium magnets that can be removed from old headphones, a broken phone, or a construction tape will help. Just attach the magnet to the bit and the screw will hold securely.

But if finding a magnet is problematic, you can use regular masking tape. We pierce the adhesive tape with a self-tapping screw from the sticky side and fix it on the bit.

3. Since we are talking about a magnet, then with its help you can make a holder for self-tapping screws, which is useful when working at height. We put on a wristband or a piece from an old warm sock and put a magnet under it, for example, from old speakers. That's it, the screw holder is ready!

4. An ideal countersink for a self-tapping screw can be made from the same self-tapping screw. Using an engraver or a hacksaw for metal, cut several grooves at an angle on the back of the cap.

Then we cut off the hat, fix it on the bit (it is desirable that the bit be magnetic) and make a depression. The result is almost perfect.

5. Sometimes it happens that the splines of the self-tapping screw (screw) break off and then it is very difficult to unscrew it. Punching the groove with a screwdriver, as in the case of a screw, will not work, because the self-tapping screw has harder steel. You can unscrew the problematic self-tapping screw using an extractor or an engraver (by cutting a groove in the head with a cutting disc), but there is another effective way.

You can use a soldering iron. We process the place where the slots were, with soldering acid, put a little solder and warm it up. Then install the bit and let the solder cool down. Now it will not be difficult to unscrew the screw.